Productivity Tip – Just Start.
My words of hard earned experience on the subject of productivity, contributing to Ben’s writing project.
Start.
That’s it. One word.
If you don’t start, you’ll never finish. You’ll miss every shot you never take. Just Do It (you know, like Nike). The journey of a thousand smiles starts with a single step. etc., ad nausem.
Start.
I don’t care if you don’t know where to start – pick somewhere, and start there. Even if it’s wrong, you’ve made progress, you’ve learned something, you know where not to start next time.
Start.
If it’s too big, then break your project down into smaller pieces that you can understand.
There. You just started.
Now you’ve got a pile of little projects to do.
Start on one.
Finish it, get stuck on a bit, I don’t care which.
Start on the next one.
Repeat.
If you get suck somewhere, there’s a future starting point for you.
Start there some time.
Start by selecting the music to listen to while you work. Once you’ve done that, move on.
Start by clearing your desk of distractions.
Start by clearing your mind of distractions.
Clear the way for starting well by finishing well. Make tomorrow an easy start by leaving something easy to get started on, an easy win to kick off the day. You just helped yourself start again.
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I wholeheartedly agree with you.
That’s the exact same sentiment we over at KiwiWriters feel. People say they want to write a novel, for ages sometimes, but the day they should start never comes!
So we force one on you :-)
During June, we’re challenging people to actually start that novel. In fact, we’re also challenging them to finish it during June too. Come take a look at http://kiwiwriters.org/ and join the challenge.
That way, you’ll definately start it.
Just want to add this:
When you have dozens of little chunks crowding your to-do list, just delete everything but left five. Others, just write it on other piece of paper using pencil (so you can erase it when you are going to transfer it).
I’m so antique. :p
John Doe,
Second Last Freelancer
Kiitos Andrew!
( I hope you speak some Finnish..:) )
You just made me start my own blog. I was thinking it for months, because I wanted it to be perfect..
Marios
Simple but excellent advice, Andrew. I’m going to squirrel this post away for later, when I’m stuck.
If you get suck somewhere, that’s definitely a future starting point for you!